[Spermatic cord sarcoma in adults: diagnosis and management]

to clarify the patterns of diagnosis and management of adult spermatic cord sarcoma.

between 1996 and 2009, seven patients with spermatic cord sarcoma were treated at Cochin hospital. After updating the pathological diagnosis according to the new classification of sarcoma we found that all patients had well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We analysed their clinical presentation, management and carcinological outcome.

the patients' age ranged from 51 to 77 years, and their follow-up from 7 to 68 months. In five patients, the diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma (lipoma-like) with some dedifferentiated sectors was made straightaway. In the two other patients, the initial diagnosis was that of leiomyosarcoma, which was reconsidered as dedifferentiated liposarcoma according to the cytogenetical and immunohistochemical techniques available since 2005. In 6/7 patients, a tumour resection with an orchiectomy at the same time (four patients) or secondarily (two patients) was performed. In one patient, only a tumour resection, without orchiectomy, was made. Multiple recurrences were observed in the two patients who were initially diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. They needed multiple reintervention. One of them died after 68 months of evolution, the other one was treated with chemotherapy and died after 47 months of evolution. Four patients are out of recurrence. One patient was lost to follow-up.

the diagnosis of liposarcoma must be considered in all adult patients aged of more than 50 with fatty-shaped or containing fibomuscular nodules paratesticular tumours. The surgeon and the pathologist must be well informed and an early and wide resection of fatty masses of the sperm cord with negative margins is advocated. The quality of resection is crucial but its appreciation and carrying out are difficult. The role of complementary treatments, especially radiotherapy, has to be determined.